Diu, Jan 7 (NationPress) In a thrilling showdown, Chandigarh’s Simran and Sonia stunned local supporters by defeating the home favorites, Anushka Singh and Anshu Kumari, in the women’s Ganda double final at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026, held at Ghoghla Beach on Wednesday.

Manipur claimed victory in the men’s event, marking their first gold medal of KIBG 2026.

The Khelo India Beach Games 2026, orchestrated by the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, is proceeding under the expert oversight of the Sports Authority of India and various national sports federations.

This second edition of the Khelo India Beach Games features over 1100 athletes competing in eight sports disciplines, including volleyball, soccer, sepaktakraw, kabaddi, pencak silat, open water swimming, mallakhamb, and tug-of-war. The first six sports will award medals, with a total of 32 gold medals available.

Initially, the hosts, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, had started strong by securing their first gold in women’s Tunggal and were eager to expand their medal count in the women’s Ganda double. However, Simran, who battled a knee injury sustained during the semifinals, had other ideas.

The Punjab Police athlete, who previously earned a bronze in Tunggal on Tuesday, partnered with Sonia to clinch the final against Anushka and Anshu, with a score of 555-537. In the men’s final, Premchandra Yengkhom and Wahengbam Sudhir Meetei triumphed over Tamil Nadu’s Bose Raja Guru and Selvakumar with a score of 555-536.

“This was the final. There was a chance of winning the gold, so I had to risk myself. Five years ago, I had an ACL tear and underwent surgery. In today’s semifinals, I faced a meniscus injury and had to tape my knee to compete in the final. But all’s well that ends well; we secured a gold for Chandigarh,” stated Simran, who represented India at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

After three days of competition, the hosts lead the medal tally with one gold, two silver, and one bronze. Chandigarh, Manipur, and West Bengal have each won one gold medal.

In the KIBG 2026 Beach Soccer, the defending champions, Odisha women, secured their semi-final spot with an 8-4 victory over Arunachal Pradesh in Group A, while Kerala progressed to the last four in the men’s competition with a 7-0 win against Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu in their second match.

In Beach Sepaktakraw, which commenced on Wednesday, Manipur women ensured a place in the semi-finals after defeating Bihar 2-1 and Goa 3-0 in their group matches.

Following three days of events, hosts Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu lead the medal tally, with Chandigarh, Manipur, and West Bengal closely behind.